Chapter Ninety-Five: Empress Wu's Predicament — Yu He Enters the Palace (Part Two)

Empress Wu Zetian spoke again, "No rush. First, send someone to inquire about the character of the young lady from the Pei family. If she is truly as virtuous as Master Xu claims, I wish to see her. Once she is summoned to the palace, there will inevitably be gossip outside. Besides, the wedding date is still some days away; it would be wise to proceed with caution."

Li Zhi pondered for a moment before replying, "Let it be as the Empress suggests."

After all, this was the imperial family, not a common household. Moreover, it concerned the Crown Prince’s marriage. To back out even once would cause a sensation throughout the realm. If dissatisfaction arose later and the engagement was broken again, it would become a laughingstock.

Wu Zetian put down the memorial and asked, "What about Di Renjie? How should we handle him?"

Upon returning to Luoyang, Di Renjie was immediately summoned to the palace.

At first, the conversation was quite pleasant; he was learned and spoke with wit. In truth, Wu Zetian was also reflecting on the imperial examination system. The Jinshi degree was highly prized, yet the pass rate was low—only a handful or a dozen candidates passed each time. Even the talented often failed. Nonetheless, the examinations were held annually. Thus, under her instruction the previous year, the candidate pool was slightly expanded.

However, Li Zhi then shifted the topic: "I summoned you back to the Eastern Capital, but why did you not come to see me and instead went to Mount Song?"

Di Renjie replied, "Matters have varying degrees of urgency. I am but a humble official; seeing the Emperor would not greatly advance affairs. But going to Mount Song was for the country’s sake, for the realm’s stability. A harmonious family prospers; the Emperor’s family is the family of the world. Your Majesty is the sovereign of the nation, and the Crown Prince is its future. I urge Your Majesty to consider this carefully."

"If you do not go, then our family will not be harmonious?" Li Zhi deliberately twisted the meaning, a subtle test of loyalty.

Wu Zetian understood her husband's intentions. She restrained those involved, reminding them to maintain proper decorum even when assisting the Crown Prince.

Di Renjie calmly answered, "Not at all. My power is limited; I cannot add glory to Your Majesty. What I can do is help foster greater harmony between the Crown Prince and Your Majesty."

Li Zhi said, "If it were not for you, the Crown Prince and I might be even more harmonious."

Then he dismissed Di Renjie. He remained in the Eastern Capital, much like a memorial held but not acted upon, without any formal punishment. Yet days passed quickly. As the Crown Prince’s adviser, any action against him would reflect upon the Crown Prince, hence Wu Zetian’s inquiry.

"Let me think, Empress. He is a judicial official from Bingzhou. How about appointing him Deputy Minister of Justice?"

The Ministry of Justice hierarchy began with the Minister, then the Vice Minister, followed by the Director, and then six Deputy Ministers of the sixth rank. Although the Deputy Ministers handled daily affairs, this promotion resembled that of Wei Yuanzhong—an advancement but not a prominent one, avoiding undue speculation.

"That position seems suitable."

"But for now, have him serve nominally by Prince Hong’s side."

A minor Deputy Minister post could not compare to serving the Crown Prince. Di Renjie’s most important role remained as the Crown Prince's aide; his Ministry of Justice title was merely a formality to show goodwill. "I treat the Crown Prince well!"

Wu Zetian resumed reading the memorials.

The pace slowed, and the pile of memorials grew daily.

In the end, Li Zhi had no choice but to instruct Wu Zetian to handle minor matters. Yet what constituted major or minor issues? Any memorial presented to the palace was never truly trivial. As the power shifted gradually through her handling of these memorials, this authority was, for Wu Zetian, a hot potato—both a blessing and a burden.

…

The Dragon Boat Festival was approaching.

The moon was still slim, a faint crescent barely hanging in the sky. Yet the night was not dark; stars glittered like snowflakes, casting shadows across the buildings of Luoyang.

"Li Shoucheng, I have an uneasy feeling," Wu Zetian said, holding a round fan.

Since Li Zhi canceled the Great Rain Ceremony, she herself felt unsettled. Why cancel? The people’s imagination ran wild, recalling the ominous winds as a warning. Better than holding the ceremony, but if it had proceeded, it would have been a gamble—win, and all rejoice; lose, and countless complications would follow.

Furthermore, many ministers in court either disliked a woman assisting the Emperor in state affairs or remained resentful over the deaths of Empress Wang and favored consorts like Xiao Shufei and Shangguan Yi. For various reasons, some ministers wished her removed, preferably executed, to end the matter once and for all. Such threats became the best excuse for opposition.

Adding to that, her husband’s suspicion of her had not diminished; it had only increased over the years...

Among many unexpected reasons, Wu Zetian even suspected that Li Zhi’s failure to deal with Helan Minzhi was deliberate, allowing the situation to escalate, so as to let the people believe she was condoning her nephew’s insult to her own children, tarnishing her reputation.

"Empress, I have heard news," Li Shoucheng said.

"What news?"

"The bamboo in the Western Capital’s Crown Prince’s garden has all begun to rot. At first, no one paid attention, but once the bamboo truly decayed, many townsfolk came daily to observe."

If it were another workshop, commoners would likely ignore it. But this was under the Crown Prince’s direction, with many strange rumors: that the late Emperor Taizong’s spirit inspired the Crown Prince’s experiment; that it was a scheme of the Emperor and Empress consulting the Crown Prince. Many theories circulated.

Also, the paper produced was thin and cheap. Thin paper cost less. Made from common materials like bamboo and lime, unlike the expensive Shanju vine paper which faced material shortages due to overharvesting, this paper promised affordability. Perhaps all commoners could afford paper one day.

Even Bi’er’s mother understood this significance.

Li Shoucheng continued, "I also heard that in about a month, new paper will be ready."

"Oh? Do you think it will succeed?" Wu Zetian’s eyebrows twitched. Though she initially thought it a joke, the dire situation made her secretly hopeful. Success could alleviate much of her and her husband’s troubles.

"I dare not say, but with the bamboo rotting, it might indeed succeed."

"Arrange some people to assist the Eastern Palace staff, and assign guards to watch day and night to prevent sabotage."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Wu Zetian feared ministers hostile to her, like Hao Chujun, might interfere. Though these ministers were honorable and unlikely to stoop to such acts, unguarded success could unsettle certain restless individuals in Chang’an.

Li Shoucheng asked again, "What if it fails?"

"Then it will be just another joke—after all, there are already plenty."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

In truth, when Li Wei first proposed bamboo paper, he only meant to please Wu Zetian. Otherwise, how could it be? The ailing Crown Prince had already struck her hard before the idea even took root. Yet no one expected such a small piece of bamboo paper to take on such strategic importance…

…

"How old are you this year?"

Pei Yuhe was still dazed, having been summoned to the palace unexpectedly. Facing the great Empress, her heart fluttered uneasily. Yet she came from a distinguished family, well-educated and composed, and answered cautiously, "Thirteen."

"Thirteen. That is appropriate."

Appropriate for what? Pei Yuhe was baffled.

"I have heard you have studied many poems and books since childhood."

"I have read some—the Analects, the Book of Songs, the Book of Rites—but have yet to finish the Six Classics. I have also read other works."

"Can you do needlework?"

"A little."

Wu Zetian produced a square handkerchief. "Can you embroider this pattern?"

The design was simple—two butterflies and a few small flowers below. Pei Yuhe replied, "I can, but I will need some time."

"You may embroider it here. I am not in a hurry."

Though full of questions, Pei Yuhe dared not refuse the Empress’s command. She took out silk threads and needles and began to stitch diligently.

She was not as beautiful as Yang Min, but her features were delicate. Most importantly, though young, she was composed and did not lose her manners. From their meeting until now, her etiquette was impeccable. Truly a daughter of a noble household. This thought made Wu Zetian somewhat wistful.

Unlike Empress Wang, who came from the most cultured family yet was domineering and arrogant, this young lady was calm and gentle.

Watching her embroider gracefully, Wu Zetian compared her repeatedly with Yang Min and felt somewhat more satisfied.

As the Crown Princess, appearance was less important, but character mattered greatly. Yang Sijian’s daughter was the opposite—stunningly beautiful, which initially swayed her decision to accept the match. Yet later events left her discontent.

Once the handkerchief was finished, Wu Zetian took out a sheet of hemp paper. "Write some characters for me to see."

"At your command," Pei Yuhe picked up a brush and wrote a poem titled "Milky Way." The poem was somewhat lengthy, recounting King Xuan of Zhou’s anxiety over drought.

King Xuan, Ji Jing, was the ruler after a rebellion in the Western Zhou, renowned for his revival of the dynasty. Yet during his reign, a severe drought struck. The poem described how "the drought was intense, cleansing mountains and rivers; the drought demon ravaged like blazing fire." The land was parched and withered, as if washed clean by water. The demon’s devastation was rampant, like a consuming fire. The king worried deeply, praying for mercy from Heaven.

"Choosing this poem is quite interesting," Wu Zetian mused as the elegant characters filled the paper, her thoughts swirling…